If you’re after a sweet treat that’s soft, rich, and just a little bit nostalgic, these Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars will absolutely steal your heart. Think sugar cookie bliss with a twist: moist, tender bars kissed with vanilla and almond, all wrapped up in a fuss-free, gluten-free package. Perfect for everything from weeknight cravings to holiday cookie swaps, these bars deliver big on classic flavor and texture, without any complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.

Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Whipping up Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars is a breeze thanks to a handful of simple, thoughtfully chosen ingredients. Each one plays an important role in delivering the right texture, sweetness, and color—so don’t skip or skimp if you want cookie bar perfection!

Almond Flour: The star player adds rich, buttery flavor and guarantees tender, soft bars every time.
Coconut Flour: Just a touch helps firm up the dough and brings a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with almond flour.
Baking Powder: Gives a gentle lift, making the bars light and irresistibly cakey in the middle.
Salt: A pinch brings all the flavors into focus—don’t underestimate its importance!
Unsalted Butter: For that classic cookie taste and pretty golden edges; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
Granulated Sugar or Coconut Sugar: Your choice, either will sweeten the bars just right—coconut sugar adds a slight caramel note.
Large Egg: Binds it all together and creates a lusciously tender crumb.
Vanilla Extract: Infuses every bite with cozy, bakery-fresh aroma.
Almond Extract (optional): Just a drop is enough for a hint of marzipan magic, elevating the nutty almond flour base.
Frosting of Choice: A finishing touch that makes these bars party-ready; go classic with vanilla buttercream or tangy with cream cheese frosting.
Sprinkles (optional): For a festive pop of color and nostalgia—because who doesn’t love sprinkles?

How to Make Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This small step guarantees your bars won’t stick and makes cleanup a breeze—simply lift them out for easy slicing!

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt. Giving these ingredients a good stir distributes the leavening and salt evenly, preventing any dense or overly salty bites in your finished Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a larger bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This is the secret to a melt-in-your-mouth crumb. Don’t rush—use a hand mixer or some good old-fashioned elbow grease, and aim for a texture that’s visibly pale and airy.

Step 4: Add Egg and Extracts

Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you want that lovely almond boost). Each little flavor note gets woven into the batter here, so every bar tastes rich and deeply aromatic.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually mix the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. There’s no need to overmix—just stir until there are no dry streaks left and a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. This gentle touch ensures your bars stay gloriously tender when baked.

Step 6: Press and Bake

Press the dough evenly into your prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula or clean hands. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center looks just set. The scent during baking is absolutely heavenly—a true hint that Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars are on their way!

Step 7: Cool, Frost, and Decorate

Let the bars cool completely in the pan for the easiest cutting and a perfectly set frosting. Once cooled, spread your favorite frosting generously across the top and finish with a shower of sprinkles if you’re feeling festive. Slice into squares, serve, and watch them disappear!

How to Serve Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars

Garnishes

The beauty of Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars is how playfully you can dress them up! Lush swirls of pastel buttercream, classic cream cheese frosting, or even a drizzle of lemon glaze will take things up a notch. Finish with your favorite sprinkles, finely chopped nuts, or a dusting of edible glitter for serious wow factor.

Side Dishes

Keep things cozy by pairing these bars with a warm mug of coffee, chai, or hot chocolate. If you’re serving them at a gathering, set out a platter with fresh berries and stone fruit to balance the sweetness—or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent dessert experience.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties or potlucks, slice the bars into bite-sized cubes and pop each onto a festive toothpick or tiny cupcake liner. If you’re gifting, stack squares between layers of parchment in a bakery box and tie up with ribbon. These Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars also make a delightful base for layered desserts—try cutting them into mini rounds for creative trifle cups!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars fresh for days, simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge. The bars stay moist and flavorful for up to five days—perfect for treating yourself or sharing all week long.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze these bars! Once frosted, place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to firm up, then transfer to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They can be stored frozen for up to two months—just be sure to let them thaw in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

If you love a slightly warm cookie bar, pop an unfrosted piece in the microwave for 8-10 seconds. For bars with frosting, let them come to room temperature for a softer bite, or warm gently on low power to prevent melting the topping.

FAQs

Can I make Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars dairy-free?

Absolutely! Just swap out the butter for either softened coconut oil or your favorite vegan butter. The result is every bit as tender and delicious—plus, the almond flavor shines through even more.

Do I need to use blanched almond flour?

Blanched almond flour works best here, as it keeps the texture extra fine and the color beautifully even. Unblanched almond flour or almond meal will make the bars denser and darker but still tasty!

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

You’ll want the edges to be lightly golden and the middle just set. Give the pan a gentle shake—if the center doesn’t jiggle, it’s ready to come out. Don’t overbake, as the bars will continue to set as they cool.

Can I double the recipe for a crowd?

Definitely! Just double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Check for doneness around the 22-25 minute mark, since thicker layers might need an extra minute or two.

Can these bars be made ahead for parties?

Yes, Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars are fantastic for making ahead! They hold up beautifully in the fridge, meaning you can frost and decorate them the day before—talk about stress-free entertaining.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve ever wished for that classic sugar cookie joy in an easier, gluten-free package, these Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars are your new go-to. They’re simple, quick, and totally customizable—so gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and let these delightful little squares become your next kitchen tradition!

Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 17 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 12 bars 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

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Description

These Almond Flour Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful gluten-free treat that is perfect for any occasion. Soft and chewy, these bars are easy to make and can be customized with your favorite frosting and sprinkles.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

2 cups almond flour (blanched and finely ground)
1/4 cup coconut flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/3 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1/3 cup granulated sugar or coconut sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Frosting of choice (e.g., cream cheese or buttercream)
Sprinkles (optional for topping)

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a separate large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add wet ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.
Combine wet and dry: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Bake: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 18 to 22 minutes until lightly golden.
Cool and frost: Let the bars cool in the pan, then spread with frosting and decorate with sprinkles.
Serve: Slice into squares and serve.

Notes

For dairy-free bars, substitute the butter with softened coconut oil or vegan butter.
Bars can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American